Saturday's Texas Longhorns scrimmage was supposed to be the first time coach Steve Sarkisian got to see his team in full pads under game conditions. There are also some key position battles that were supposed to be decided. Instead, the practice has turned into a M.A.S.H. unit with several key players were out with the flu.
Sark said the flu bug has ripped through the team this week. Many are still dealing with the bug and couldn't participate in today's simulated game practice. Wide receiver Daylan McCutcheon, defensive lineman Justus Terry, edge/linebacker Brad Spence, linebacker Rasheem Biles, linebacker Ty’Anthony Smith and cornerback John Meredith all sat out.
That is especially tough on two players that were hoping to elevate their standing within the depth chart. Terry and Smith are both trying to secure a starting spot before the season opener against Texas State on Sept. 5. It is hard on Biles too who is still adjusting to his new team.
Sarkisian says the team was hit by the flu bug a bit heading into scrimmage #1:
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) August 15, 2026
Notable guys out today per Sark:
• Rasheem Biles
• Brad Spence
• Justus Terry
• TyAnthony Smith
• Daylan McCutcheon
• John Meredith III
Sarkisian also held out Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo, Emmett Mosley and quarterback Arch Manning after the first series before inserting them again for a red-zone possession prior to their return for the second half. It resulted in what Sarkisian described as an “up and down” performance by Manning.
“I don’t think that’s really indicative of him being out in the spring,” said Sarkisian. “I thought he’s had a great first week and a half of training camp. I’ve been extremely impressed. Probably wasn’t as fair to him today. I wanted them to almost feel like an NFL preseason game one. But at the same token, when we went to thud tempo and it wasn’t live, I wanted to try to get him reps, and those reps didn’t come until the second half. So I think he can play cleaner than he played today, and a little bit more efficient, a little bit more accurate, but there were also some high-level plays that were made, too.”
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns scrimmage devastated by flu bug, inconsistent Manning